Werelove Dusk Conspiracy

Spring 2209, Ohcale Valley Hospital

Jacques Lyser stood outside the intensive care unit staring blankly at the white walls. This couldn't be happening. He didn't understand any of this, but he was going to get some answers.

"Scowling will not help her, Beta."

Jacques stiffened, smoothed out his expression and turned to face his Alpha and friend of many years. "Henry, glad to see you could make it." He knew that his words had a bite and he didn't care. For almost a week, Jacques had been at this hospital watching anxiously as the doctors fought to save his young charge. Repeated calls to his Alpha to come to the hospital were ignored. He didn't know what Henry's problem was but he would be damned if he'd let his Alpha take it out on others.

"Watch it, Beta. I might take your disrespect to heart," Henry warned as he stopped beside Jacques and glanced in the window before returning his attention to Jacques. "What are the doctors saying?"

"Well, my Alpha, they are saying that Laylah is very sick and they cannot find the cause of it. I don't think you should have brought her here. What do human doctors know of Were physiology? Absolutely nothing. You should take her to one of our Were doctors."

Henry snorted at Jacques' words. "My daughter is not Were enough to need a Were doctor. She is human and to the human doctors I brought her."

"Henry, you're being stubborn. Just because Laylah is mixed blood doesn't make her any less Were. She needs your support, not your anger. She can't help being of two tribes. That fate was determined by you and Helena." Jacques ran his hand over his bald head and sighed. "Laylah has been asking for you. You should go inside and see her. I'll give you some privacy and keep the doctors away."

Henry frowned and Jacques thought his Alpha would refuse. Henry turned and stared at Laylah's prone figure through the viewing glass. "Fine."

Jacques let out the breath he'd been holding. "Good! Fifteen minutes and then the doctors will descend on you. They need some paperwork signed by you."

"I'm sure they do," Henry retorted.

Jacques only laughed and walked away to head off the duty nurse who was coming their way.

Henry waited until the hallway was clear before entering the ICU room. He stood and stared at his slumbering daughter. His expression changed and he growled low and menacing for a few seconds before shaking himself and going silent. He peered about, but didn't see any monitoring devices. Smiling, he pulled a shot injector from his pocket and hurried to Laylah's side.

He touched her arm and grimaced. She was burning up. Not quite what he expected, but he didn't have time to try again. This was the perfect opportunity and he wasn't going to waste it. He found a vein and quickly injected Laylah with the drug. If his calculations were correct, she should start showing improvement within 24 hours.

He regarded Laylah again. She was such a quiet child and had always been even when Helena was alive. He slammed away the memory of his wife and let out an angry snort. He didn't have time to indulge in what might have been. No, he lived in the present and, if the drug worked, it would make him rich beyond imagining.

He spun around when the door opened and froze. Jacques stared at him in horror and it took Henry a second to remember that he held the shot injector in his hand. "You're back early," he drawled and dropped the injector into his pocket.

"Henry, what did you do?" Jacques snarled and took a step closer.

"Don't bother, Jacques. I already gave her the injection. It's what she needed anyway." Henry smiled, but it wasn't a nice smile.

"You've been drugging her? Why, Henry? What is it you're trying to prove?" Jacques was livid and his body.

"Don't play naive, Jacques. I'm a scientist first and foremost. I've been trying to find a way to help Laylah with her dual natures. This is the best course. It will keep her calm, meek and, above all, obedient. And we will not have to worry about her shifting. I have solved all my problems with a simple serum that you and Naiya will continue to administer to my daughter."

"I won't do it." Jacques straightened, his eyes shifting to amber.

Henry laughed. "Would you shift in here, old friend, and scare her? How would you like Laylah to see you as a monster?" he sneered.

Jacques growled, but made no move. Henry chuckled. Jacques was lethal but, when it came to Laylah and how she viewed the man, Jacques was weak. He would do anything for Laylah. Henry had taken that in to consideration and now he would set his plan fully in motion.

"There will be no more shifting from any of the staff. I know we can't curb the beast completely, but if any staff member has to run as wolf, they are to go into the forests behind the house and do so. I will have the supply of serum delivered. She must be given it twice a week. It can be put in her food or drink. The serum is tasteless and odorless. Do I make myself clear?"

Jacques glowered and Henry could see that the other male wanted to tear him to pieces. As much as he welcomed the challenge, fighting in the human hospital would be bad form.

"And what if I refuse, my Alpha, to participate in this madness?" Jacques clenched his fists and shifted his stance.

"You will be replaced. I have other Betas besides you. Make sure she goes home tomorrow. If the doctors give you any trouble, inform me." Henry looked at his watch. "I have to go. You know what to do, Jacques. Don't fail me in this, like you did last time." And with that parting barb, Henry left the room.